Guide based content services

ABSTRACT

Systems are described for a guide of audio, video, multimedia transmission, receiving and playback with advertising and bi-directional fulfillment of goods and services over the Internet. A method of streaming content distribution includes creating data on streaming content; creating data on network locations of streaming content; creating data on access characteristics; locating a source of streaming content with a with a streaming content guide; and starting playback of streaming content from the source of streaming content. A streaming content distribution system includes a streaming content guide through which a user locates a source of streaming content and starts playback of streaming content; data on streaming content; data on network locations of streaming content; and data on access characteristics.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of non-provisional U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/011,470, filed Jan. 25, 2008, and titled “GUIDEBASED CONTENT SERVICES,” the contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to services provided through a guide ofaudio, video, multimedia transmission, receiving and playback systemwith advertising and bi-directional fulfillment of goods and servicesover the Internet. More specifically, to a system in which users selectspecific audio, video, and multimedia content from a plurality ofInternet sources, receiving such content at the user's location using anInternet connect device where advertising targeted at the user is placedbefore, during, and/or after the content is played/run and with the userhaving the option of purchasing goods and services as a result of theadvertising through the same Internet connect devices at the convenienceof the user.

2. Discussion of Related Technology

Traditional content such as radio and television broadcasts have beenpredicated on a physical antenna located in a specific geography.Generally, this limited access of broadcast content to consumers withina specific geography enabling advertisements to be targeted at thosewithin the broadcast range of the antenna. Furthermore, it limited thenumber of broadcasters in any geography to those with sufficient capitalto build the physical infrastructure. In developed countries such as theUnited States, sophisticated statistical demographic analysis as well aspolling customers in various regions of the country has been developedby companies such as Arbitron to determine what, who, and how longcustomers watch or listen to a broadcast. This is ultimately used todetermine how much a broadcaster can charge an advertiser to presentgoods and services to the broadcaster's customers. Furthermore, theadvertisement is generally uni-directional—that is, a broadcastadvertisement message requires that an interested customer use analternate method (e.g., travel to a store, make a telephone call to aproduct/services fulfillment house, send mail to a fulfillment house,etc.) to obtain the advertised goods and/or services.

Presently, with the tremendous capabilities of the Internet as a methodto distribute content and as a source of customers, broadcasters andother producers of audio, video, and multimedia content have begun tomake their content available to users of the Internet. Using theInternet for content distribution is very different from traditionalbroadcasting with respect to capital investment and geographic reach.For example, while traditional broadcasters require substantial up-frontcapital to build the necessary infrastructure to reach a local audience,once the infrastructure is in place, the cost of incremental customeruse of the infrastructure is virtually zero. With the Internet, this isnot the case. While it is relatively inexpensive to build theinfrastructure to deliver content via the Internet, costs are associatedwith incremental customer use of the content, i.e., each individual userof an Internet stream requires incremental bandwidth and othercomputer/network resources. With respect to geographic reach, theInternet is without boundaries, extending the availability of thecontent globally. With the Internet, listening, watching, or workingwith content originating in Los Angeles is as easily accomplished by acustomer in New York or Paris as one in Los Angeles.

The ease of establishing a presence on the Internet with the promise ofa large numbers of customers has led to hundreds of thousands ofstreaming content providers today. Internet content providers vary fromtraditional broadcasters with professionally produced content toindividuals producing unique amateur content. The Internet furtherenables ever more sophisticated methods for user interaction withcontent, a direct means to collect information about the user, and ameans to conduct instantaneous transactions for goods and services byusers.

The explosion in content streams available on the Internet and theglobal nature of Internet access to content have led to fundamentalproblems of 1) how customers find content of interest and 2) how canadvertisement be effectively run with users in multiple geographies. Inthe United States alone, traditional radio stations making theirbroadcast streams available on the Internet today number in the tens ofthousands, making regional call letters for stations almost obsolete andlocal advertisements ineffective for Internet listeners outside of theoriginal broadcast geography.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention realizes the potential of the Internet for users,content providers, and advertisers. The invention answers many of theaforementioned problems for user and Internet content providers byproviding a system and method to effectively find and stream Internetaccessible content with advertisements targeted to the user withoutknowing a priori, from where the user may be accessing such content.Furthermore, it defines a method for fulfilling advertised goods andservices during playback/use of content.

In the first embodiment of the invention, a system with a content guide,a single control/access point for content streams and a singlecontrol/access point for advertisement, and a module for fulfillment iscontemplated. Within the system, a method for user access and playbackof content and targeted advertisement as well as a way to fulfill goodsand services associated user initiated actions as a result of targetedadvertisements are described.

In the second embodiment of the invention, a system with a contentguide, multiple control/access points for content streams and a singlecontrol, access point for advertisement, and a module for fulfillment iscontemplated. Within the system, a method for user access and playbackof content and targeted advertisement as well as a way to fulfill goodsand services associated user initiated actions as a result of targetedadvertisements are described.

In the third embodiment of the invention, a system with a content guide,a single control and access point for content streams and multiplecontrol/access points for advertisement, and a module for fulfillment iscontemplated. Within the system, a method for user access and playbackof content and targeted advertisement as well as a way to fulfill goodsand services associated user initiated actions as a result of targetedadvertisements are described.

In the fourth embodiment of the invention, a system with a contentguide, a single control/access point for content streams and multiplecontrol/access points for advertisement, and a module for fulfillment iscontemplated. Within the system, a method for user access and playbackof content and targeted advertisement as well as a way to fulfill goodsand services associated user initiated actions as a result of targetedadvertisements are described. Additionally, targeted advertisements areselected using a marketplace where the content streams owners may acceptbids from advertisers for how much they are willing to pay to placeadvertisements on before, during, and content stream playback.

In the fifth embodiment of the invention, a system with a content guide,multiple control and access points for content streams and multiplecontrol, access points for advertisement, and a module for fulfillmentis contemplated. Within the system, a method for user access andplayback of content and targeted advertisement as well as a way tofulfill goods and services associated user initiated actions as a resultof targeted advertisements are described.

Finally, the sixth embodiment of the invention, a system with a contentguide, multiple control and access points for content streams andmultiple control, access points for advertisement, and a module forfulfillment is contemplated. Within the system, a method for user accessand playback of content and targeted advertisement as well as a way tofulfill goods and services associated with user initiated actions as aresult of targeted advertisements are described. Additionally, targetedadvertisements are selected using a marketplace where the contentstreams owners may accept bids from advertisers for how much they arewilling to pay to place advertisements on before, during, and contentstream playback.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram the system having users 100, 110, the Internet 200,the Guide 300, Managed Content 500 with a single Content Guardian 501and a single Content Streams 502 (made up of a plurality of contentstreams), Managed Ads 600 with a single Ad Guardian 601 and a single AdStreams 602 (made up of a plurality of Ad streams), and Fulfillment 700.

FIG. 2 is a diagram the system having users 100, 110, the Internet 200,the Guide 300, a plurality of Managed Content 510, 520, 530 each with asingle Content Guardian 511,521,531 respectively and Content Streams512,522,532 respectively (each made up of a plurality of contentstreams), Managed Ads 600 with a single Ad Guardian 601 and a single AdStreams 602 (made up of a plurality of Ad streams), and Fulfillment 700.

FIG. 3 is a diagram the system having users 100, 110, the Internet 200,the Guide 300, Managed Content 500 each with a single Content Guardian501 and Content Streams 502 (made up of a plurality of content streams),a plurality of Managed Ads 610, 620, 630 each with a single Ad Guardian611, 621, 631 respectively and Ad Streams 612, 622, 632 respectively(each made up of a plurality of Ad streams), and Fulfillment 700.

FIG. 4 is a diagram the system having users 100, 110, the Internet 200,the Guide 300, Ad Marketplace 440, Managed Content 500 each with asingle Content Guardian 501 and Content Streams 502 (made up of aplurality of content streams), a plurality of Managed Ads 610, 620, 630each with a single Ad Guardian 611, 621, 631 respectively and Ad Streams612,622,632 respectively (each made up of a plurality of Ad streams),and Fulfillment 700.

FIG. 5 is a diagram the system having users 100, 110, the Internet 200,the Guide 300, a plurality of Managed Content 510, 520, 530 each with asingle Content Guardian 511,521,531 respectively and Content Streams512,522,532 respectively (each made up of a plurality of contentstreams), a plurality of Managed Ads 610, 620, 630 each with a single AdGuardians 611, 621, 631 respectively and Ad Streams 612, 622, 632respectively (each made up of a plurality of Ad streams), andFulfillment 700.

FIG. 6 is a diagram the system having users 100, 110, the Internet 200,the Guide 300, Ad Marketplace 460, a plurality of Managed Content 510,520, 530 each with a single Content Guardian 511, 521, 531 respectivelyand Content Streams 512, 522, 532 respectively (each made up of aplurality of content streams), a plurality of Managed Ads 610, 620, 630each with a single Ad Guardians 611, 621, 631 respectively and AdStreams 612, 622, 632 respectively (each made up of a plurality of Adstreams), and Fulfillment 700.

FIG. 7A outlines the steps of the process associated with users 100, 110selection of Content Streams 502 and Ad Streams 602 using data fromGuide 300. This figure is associated with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 7A. Morespecifically, it outlines the steps of the decision tree associated withusers 100, 110 interactions with a content player. This figure isassociated with the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7C is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 7B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for ending a streaming session. This figure is associatedwith the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7D is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 7B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for obtaining fulfillment of goods and services aspresented within a player. This figure is associated with the systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8A outlines the steps of the process associated with users 100, 110selections from a plurality of Content Streams 512, 522, 532 and AdStreams 602 using data from Guide 300. This figure is associated withthe system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8B is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 8A. Morespecifically, it outlines the steps of the decision tree associated withusers 100, 110 interactions with a content player. This figure isassociated with the system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8C is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 8B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for ending a streaming session. This figure is associatedwith the system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8D is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 8B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for obtaining fulfillment of goods and services aspresented within a player. This figure is associated with the systemshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9A outlines the steps of the process associated with users 100, 110selections from a plurality of Content Streams 502 and Ad Streams 612,622, 632 using data from Guide 300. This figure is associated with thesystem shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9B is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 9A. Morespecifically, it outlines the steps of the decision tree associated withusers 100, 110 interactions with a content player. This figure isassociated with the system shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9C is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 9B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for ending a streaming session. This figure is associatedwith the system shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9D is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 9B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for obtaining fulfillment of goods and services aspresented within a player. This figure is associated with the systemshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10A outlines the steps of the process associated with users 100,110 selections from a plurality of Content Streams 502 and Ad Streams612, 622, 632 using data from Guide 300 and Ad Marketplace 440. Thisfigure is associated with the system shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10B is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 10A. Morespecifically, it outlines the steps of the decision tree associated withusers 100, 110 interactions with a content player. This figure isassociated with the system shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10C is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 10B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for ending a streaming session. This figure is associatedwith the system shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10D is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 10B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for obtaining fulfillment of goods and services aspresented within a player. This figure is associated with the systemshown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 10E is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 10A. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the playback of contentstreams with ads from multiple Ad Guardians 611, 621, 631 such that adselection and placement determined through Ad Marketplace 440. Thisfigure is associated with the system shown in FIG. 4.

FIG.11A outlines the steps of the process associated with users 100, 110selections from a plurality of Content Streams 511, 522, 532 and aplurality of Ad Streams 612, 622, 632 using data from Guide 300. Thisfigure is associated with the system shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11B is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 11A. Morespecifically, it outlines the steps of the decision tree associated withusers 100, 110 interactions with a content player. This figure isassociated with the system shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11C is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 11B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for ending a streaming session. This figure is associatedwith the system shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11D is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 11B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for obtaining fulfillment of goods and services aspresented within a player. This figure is associated with the systemshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 12A outlines the steps of the process associated with users 100,110 selections from a plurality of Content Streams 511, 522, 532 and aplurality of Ad Streams 612, 622, 632 using data from Guide 300 and AdMarketplace 460. This figure is associated with the system shown in FIG.6.

FIG. 12B is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 12A. Morespecifically, it outlines the steps of the decision tree associated withusers 100, 110 interactions with a content player. This figure isassociated with the system shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 12C is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 12B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 110interactions for ending a streaming session. This figure is associatedwith the system shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 12D is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 12B. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the user 100, 10interactions for obtaining fulfillment of goods and services aspresented within a player. This figure is associated with the systemshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 12E is a continuation of the steps outlined in FIG. 12A. Morespecially, it outlines the steps associated with the playback of contentstreams from multiple Content Guardians 511, 521, 531 with ads frommultiple Ad Guardians 611 621, 631 such that ad selection and placementdetermined through Ad Marketplace 460. This figure is associated withthe system shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The elements of the content services in accordance with the inventioncan essentially be divided into four distinct components: user module100 and 110, guide module 300, stream modules 500 and 600, and afulfillment module 700, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The system enables users to playback content available on the Internet200 in such a way that the owners of such content may be paid byadvertisers and others wishing to make their goods and servicesavailable to users of the system. Content as described herein, isdefined as audible, visual, and/or multimedia streams or programs foundon the Internet with which a person can hear, see, and interact. A usermay select and navigate through text, audio, streams, video streams, andmulti-media programs. Multi-media programs are defined as interactiveprograms that may run on a device with a central processing unit,accepting user input and displaying output such as text, audio, video,graphics that may change over time.

In the preferred embodiment, the system is driven through a Guide 300 ofcontent made available to users over the Internet. Computer Users 100and Device Users 110, access a Guide 300 of Managed Content Streams 500.The Managed Content Stream 500 include a Content Guardian 501authorizing, controlling access, and holding limited or completecopyright to Content Streams 502 which may be text, audio and videostreams, and multimedia content published and available on the Internet.Content access control includes the ability to selectively enable accessto content streams by user attribute, playback device type, contentplayer attributes, commercial relationship, etc. Examples of ContentGuardian 501 include radio and television networks, individual radiostations, etc. Content Streams 502 is made up of a plurality ofindividual content streams, each selectable for playback by a user.Examples of such content are radio broadcast streams, podcasts,television broadcast streams, and video podcasts. The Managed Ad Streams600 are made up of an Ad Guardian 601 which authorizes, controls access,and holds limited or complete copyright to the Ad Streams 602 which maybe made up of audio, video, and multimedia advertising streams. Adstream access control includes the ability to selectively enable accessto ad streams by user attribute, playback device type, content playerattributes, commercial relationship, etc. Content Guardians includecompanies such as Ando Media, CBS Radio, and Akamai Networks. The AdStreams 602 for the advertisers goods and services are linked to contentstreams through commercial agreements between advertisers/advertisersagents and Content Guardians 501 for payment (e.g., money, in kind goodsand services, etc.) when advertisements are played/run before, during,and after playback/running of Content Streams 502 for Computer Users 100and Device Users 110. Content Guardian 501 are linked to Ad Guardian 601through a commercial or wholly owned relationship which enablesadvertisements to be included within Ad Streams 602 following theformalized commercial agreement between advertisers and ContentGuardians 501.

Computer Users 100 and Device Users 110 interacting with the content mayrequest Fulfillment 700, i.e., the purchase, rental, request forinformation, etc. of goods and services presented to the Computer Users100 and Device Users 110 during interaction with the content. ComputerUsers 100 and Device Users 110 requests to Fulfillment 700 represent abidirectional interaction over the Internet and are encrypted whenprivacy and security are important. For example, when a user purchasesgoods and/or services through a credit card or other electronic paymentsystems such as PayPal or Google Payment through Fulfillment 700, thepurchase transaction will be encrypted using SSL or PKI.

The Guide 300 contains data such as the name of the content, the time atwhich the content is available, a synopsis of the type of content (e.g.,a song, a speech, a book, etc.), the title, the topic, the personalityassociated with the content (e.g., disk jockey, talk show host, etc.),Internet location of the content, the broadcaster of the content,schedule information, genres, ratings, suggestions, affiliations, anddetails of the streaming protocols needed to access the content,including codec, bit-rate, playlist and reliability. The data iscollected using automated software importing structured feeds andexternal sources, a web-based content management system for manualentry, and feedback and edits supplied by the moderated or un-moderateduser community such as a Wiki. Web Services and Representation StateTransfer (REST) interfaces accessible on the Internet, enable access tothe Guide 300 data by Web applications also located on the Internet. Webapplications may add and/or change user account and preferenceinformation, query categorical metadata such as genres, locations oruser favorites, search and browse content via that metadata, obtaindetails about the content, begin streaming the content from thebroadcaster source, and communicate problems with the content. Access tosuch Web Services requires authorization and authentication.

Computer Users 100 and Device Users 110 may select and navigate throughManaged Content Streams 500 and Managed Ad Streams 600 through the useof physical interfaces such as mice, keyboards, buttons, joysticks,scroll wheels, remote controls, and touch screens, or computer generatedinterfaces such as buttons, pull down menus, tabs, ribbons, scroll bars,data grids, and other software user interface controls.

Computer Users 100 are computer users with authorized and authenticatedaccess to the Internet and may access and playback audio, video, andmultimedia streams (content and advertisements). Computer Users 100include individuals with personal computers (PCs) with access to theInternet. Computer Users 100 may get access to information in the Guide300 through a Web Browser or a standalone program. Access through a Webbrowser or a standalone program requires that that one or more Webapplications exist on the Internet that is authorized, and authenticatedto call to the Web Services published by the Guide 300. The Web Servicesare accessed by a Web application through an application programminginterfaces (APIs). The APIs include—

Account_UserAuthenticate—Validates a given set of credentials againstour identity management system;

Account_UserUpdateListenFilter—Modifies the allowable media typesassociated with a given user account;

Favorite_FolderGet—Retrieves all radio guide items associated with acontainer (folder) created and populated by a user;

Program_Get—Retrieves common metadata for a radio show, including title,host, language, and genres;

Station_Get—Retrieves common metadata for a radio station, includingname, call sign, frequency, location, and genres;

Search_ByQuery—Finds all stations and programs matching a given textsearch term;

Search_ByCategory—Finds all stations and programs associated with aRadio Time-defined category, such as a genre or location;

Tuner_Tune—Identifies the highest quality, most reliable, mostcompatible listening source for a given radio station or program;

Recording_StatusUpdate—Provides a mechanism to report the success orfailure in playing a stream delivered by the Radio Time guide; amongothers.

Web applications may be branded according to the developers of suchapplications enabling a plurality of independent Web sites to access anddisplay data available in Guide 300. Furthermore, widgets that provideembeddable HTML content and applications using frameworks such as AJAXare available for other portals like Google Desktop, local news sites,and for social networking platforms such as Facebook, My Space, etc.

Additional functionality to that described herein is made availablethrough integration with the social networking platforms. Integratedfunctionality includes in real-time and/or on a deferred basis 1) theability to share with others to what a user is listening, viewing,and/or interacting; 2) the ability to set a reminder when a selectedstream is available for listening, viewing, and/or interacting sent to acomputer or handheld device through a separate program, a notificationwithin the social networking site, an email, and/or an instant message;3) the ability to share with others when a selected stream is availablefor listening, viewing, and/or interacting; 4) the ability to make andshare commentary and rank selected streams available for listening,viewing, and/or interacting; and 5) the ability to record and shareselected streams;

Device Users 110 individuals with handheld devices such as cell phones,Smartphones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), MP3 players, etc. orhome entertainment devices such as the Logitech Squeezebox, Cisco Mediaproducts, Altec Lansing REX tuner, or other receivers, amplifiers, etc.that can access and play content located on the Internet 200 without theuse of a general purpose computer. The Device Users 110 may get accessto information in the Guide 300 through a Web Browser or a standaloneprogram. Access through a handheld or consumer entertainment devicerequires that that one or more Web applications exist on the Internetthat may be authorized, and authenticated to call to the Web Servicespublished by the Guide 300. The Web Services are accessed by a Webapplication through an application programming interface (API) asdescribed above. Web applications may be branded according to the devicebrand enabling a plurality of visually independent Web sites to accessand display data available in Guide 300 based on the capabilities of thedevice.

When Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 selects content to bedelivered and played back, Content Guardian 501 in conjunction with AdGuardian 601 creates a playlist of Content Streams 502 and Ad StreamStreams 602 to be delivered and played back on the Computer Users 100 orDevice Users 110 machine. The playlist may be interpreted by themachine(s) associated with 1) the Computer Users 100 or Device Users110, or 2) at the Guide 300 and/or Content Guardian 501 and/or AdGuardian 601, or 3) at Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 incoordination with Guide 300 and/or Content Guardian 501 and/or AdGuardian 601. Guide 300 and/or Content Guardian 501 and/or Ad Guardian601 may also be utilized as a payment gateway for ad revenue sharing topartners of Ad Guardian 601.

FIGS. 7A-7D describe the steps and interactions involved withauthentication, access, and playback of Content Streams 502. ComputerUsers 100 or Device Users 110 locates content 1010 (in FIG. 7A) usingdata from the Guide 300 (in FIG. 1). Computer Users 100 or Device Users110 selects content 1020. The selection of content may start a mediaplayer 1040 on the machine to receive a content stream selected byComputer Users 100 or Device Users 110. The selection is sent over theInternet 200 to the Guide 300 where user demographics are collected andstored 1050 in a database, directory service, or other large organizedstorage system. Demographics such as the age, sex, location, type ofdevice, occupation, income range, date and time, type of content, pastlistening habits, consumer preferences, i.e., automobiles, restaurants,food, drink, etc. are collected automatically, by registration, and/orby directly querying the user.

The user selected content stream may be available from a plurality ofcontent streams within Content Streams 502. In this case, thedemographics about Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 are used byGuide 300 to locate the most appropriate source for the selected contentusing knowledge of location of the user (from the demographics),information on the historical playback reliability of the selectedcontent stream, the device, network connection, time and date, theuser's favorites, speed and reliability of the options available, formatof the available streams, and amount of time remaining in a sharedbroadcast. Additionally, the selection may be further influenced bycommercial business relationships. For example, there may be multiplesuppliers of a specific piece of content and user selection of contentis directly related to the visibility of the content/supplier to theuser. In this case, suppliers may be very interested in establishing acommercial relationship such that guide data is provided in a way thatcreates greater visibility for the content of the paying supplier to theuser, resulting in more users for the paying supplier's content. Inanother example, the commercial business relationship with the ContentGuardian 501 (independent of the Ad Guardian 601) and/or with anexternal entity, such as a performing artist (independent of the AdGuardian 601 or the Content Guardian 501) could define for a fee,automatic selection of a specific content stream if certain playbackcriteria are met. If the user selected content stream is only availableas a single content stream within Content Streams 502, this uniquecontent stream will represent the content from the most appropriatelocation 1060.

The selected stream is sent to Content Guardian 501 and Ad Guardian 601where authorized access 1070 to Content Streams 502 and Ad Streams 602is respectively requested. Content Guardian 501 and Ad Guardian 601 maybe different services of a single Guardian solution or may be completelyindependent Guardian services. Upon authorization, Ad Guardian 601 willselect ads based on the access control rules and the stored demographicsof Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110. Content Guardian 501 thencreates for Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 a playlist of contentfrom (Content Streams 502) and targeted ads (from Ad Streams 602) 1080where the ads may be placed before, during, and after user selectedcontent.

Following or during the creation of the play list, if a media player hasnot been started, a media player is started 1090 on the playback machinespecified by Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 with the play listoptionally sent to the playback machine. This is followed by thestreaming 1100 of Content Streams 502 and Ad Streams 602 initiated by 1)the machine specified by Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110, or 2)the Content Guardian 501 and/Ad Guardian 601, or 3) is coordinatedbetween Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 and Content Guardian 501and/Ad Guardian 601 to a player located on the machine specified byComputer Users 100 or Device Users 110 for interactive playback. Duringthe playback, player interaction 1110 is monitored for user input.

FIG. 7B characterizes the decision tree associated with a userinteraction with the player 1110. User interactions result from a numberof conditions. First, Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 may berequesting to end the session 1120. This request leads to FIG. 7C, wherethe Content Streams 502 and Ad Streams 602 are stopped 1160 stream andsession information, use and user statistics are collected 1170, and theplayer for Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 is stopped andshutdown 1180.

A second reason for Player Interaction 1110 is that Computer Users 100or Device Users 110 has fulfillment requests 1130 leading to steps shownin FIG. 7D. Here the information associated with Users 100 or DeviceUsers 110 is passed to the Fulfillment Provider 1190 over the Internet,by WiFi, cellular network, DSL, cable, dial-up, etc. In order to fulfillthe user's request, it may be necessary to download information fordisplay and/or to run a program on a machine specified by orautomatically selected for Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 inorder to fulfill the request 1200. For example, if a user “clicks” on abuy button for a song, the information such as the album, artist, nameof song, album cover art, length of song, genre, price, release year,composer, etc. could be presented to the user through the player orthrough a different application.

A third reason for Player Interaction 1110 (continuing on FIG. 7B) maybe that Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 has requested a switch toa different stream 1140. In this case, Content Streams 502 and AdStreams 602 are stopped 1143 and stream and stream use information anduse as well user statistics collected 1147. Following this, the processthat began the creation of the play lists of content and targeted ads1060 is restarted.

The fourth and final reason for Player Interaction 1110 (continuing onFIG. 7B) may be that Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 has“clicked” a link within the player 1150 requesting the launch of aspecific Web destination within a browser. Following this playerinteraction, the process playback of content and targeted ads as well asthe monitoring for player interaction 1100 is continued.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the system. Thecharacteristics of the individual components are mostly identical tothose described in FIG. 1, except as shown by a plurality of ManagedStreams 510, 520, 530 each of which has associated a Content Guardian511, 521, 531 respectively and Content Streams 512, 522, 532respectively.

FIGS. 8A-8D describe the steps and interactions involved with access andplayback of Content Streams 512, 522, 532 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thecharacteristics of the individual steps are nearly identical to thosedescribed in FIGS. 7A-7D with the exception of step 2060. In this case,the user selected content may come from a plurality of Managed Streams510, 520, 530. Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 demographics areused by Guide 300 to select the most appropriate source across differentauthentication and access points Control Guardian 511, 521, 531 forContent Streams 512, 522, 532. Content selection is based on knowledgeof the location of the user (from the demographics) as well asinformation on the historical playback reliability of the selectedcontent stream to in order to choose the content from the mostappropriate location 2060. Additionally, the selection may be furtherrefined by commercial business relationships as defined in step 1060. Ifthe user selected content stream is only available as a single contentstream within Content Streams 512, 522, 532, this unique content streamwill represent the content from the most appropriate location 2060.

FIG. 3 further illustrates another embodiment of the system. Thecharacteristics of the individual components are nearly identical tothose described in FIG. 1 except as shown, a plurality of Managed AdStreams 610, 620, 630 each of which has associated an Ad Guardian 611,621, 631 respectively and Ad Streams 612, 622, 632 respectively.

FIGS. 9A-9D describe the steps and interactions involved with access andplayback of a user selected content stream within Content Stream 502with a plurality of Managed Ad Streams 610, 620, 630 as illustrated inFIG. 3. Steps in FIG. 9A are nearly identical to those described in FIG.7A with the exception of steps 3070 and 3080. In this embodimentfollowing step 1060 (in FIG. 9A), Guide 300 sends the selected stream toContent Guardian 501 for User Authorization 3070. Included in this stepis

1) Authorization from a specific Ad Guardian 611, 621, 631 with whom anexisting commercial relationship exists between a specific ContentGuardian 501 for ad streams associated with the user selected content;or

2) Selecting from multiple Ad Guardians 611, 621, 631 (with whom anexisting commercial relationships exists between the specific ContentGuardian 501 for ad streams associated with the user selected content),the ads which generates the largest amount of advertising revenue andgetting authorization from different specific Ad Guardians 611, 621,631; or

3) Default authorization because the content stream is marked for nulladvertisements (as would be the case for a user based contentsubscription service).

Following Authorization 3070, Content Guardian 501 in conjunction withAd Guardian 611, 621 or 631 creates a play list of content from ContentStreams 502 and targeted ads 3080 where the (or the lack of) ads isdefined by the User Authorization 3070.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of the system. Thecharacteristics of the individual components are nearly identical tothose described in FIG. 3 except as shown, Ad Marketplace 440. In thisembodiment, the system includes a marketplace in which Content Guardian501 requests a specific monetary sum (i.e., ask price) for placing adson a content stream within Content Streams 502 and can accept a monetarysum (i.e., bid price) to place an ad from Ad Guardians 611, 621, or 631before, during, and after a user selected stream from Content Streams502.

FIGS. 10A-10E describe the steps and interactions involved with AdMarketplace 440, access and playback of a user selected content streamwithin Content Stream 502 with a plurality of Managed Ad Streams 610,620, 630 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Steps in FIG. 10A are close to thosedescribed in FIG. 7A with the exception of a number steps following 1060(in FIG. 10A). In this embodiment the steps following 1060 (in FIG. 10A)and continues in FIG. 10E. Here Ad Marketplace 440 requests authorizedaccess 4070 to Content Streams 502 from Content Guardian 501, authorizedaccess to Ad Streams 602 from Ad Guardian 601, and gathers detailed “adslot information”, i.e., the asking prices for open ad slots before,during, and after the user selected content stream, the time in which abid must be received, the metadata for the stream, and userdemographics. Following this, Ad Marketplace 440 sends to the AdGuardians 611, 621, 631 the detailed ad slot information 4500 (in FIG.10E) the start of defining market prices for ad slots in contentstreams.

At this point, the Ad Marketplace 440 monitors for bids and continueswith the process of preparing for streaming the user selected content4510 (referring back to FIG. 10A). Here, a play list of the userselected content and ad slots is created 4080. Next, a content player islaunched on the user device if it has not already started 1090. This isfollowed by continuous monitoring and storing information (i.e., thelocation of the targeted ad, the ad slot, and the user) 4095 aboutaccepted bids from Content Guardian 501. This is followed by thestreaming 4100 of Content Streams 502 and ad streams with accepted bidsinitiated by 1) the machine specified by Computer Users 100 or DeviceUsers 110, or 2) the Content Guardian 501 and/Ad Guardian 611, 621, 631,or 3) is coordinated between Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 andContent Guardian 501 and/Ad Guardian 611, 621, 631 to a player locatedon the machine specified by Computer Users 100 or Device Users 110 forinteractive playback. During the playback, player interaction 4110 ismonitored for user input. If there is no input, step 4095 is continued.Steps in FIG. 10B are nearly identical to those described in FIG. 7Bwith the exception of the step following 1150 (launching of a newinstance of a browser with a link clicked by a user) which continueswith step 4095 (in FIG. 10A). Similarly, steps in FIG. 10D are nearlyidentical to those described in FIG. 7D with the exception of the stepfollowing (downloading and/or starting the necessary Fulfillmentprocesses on the user machine) step 1200, which continues with step 4095(in FIG. 10A). Step 4095 performs monitoring and stores information(i.e., the location of the targeted ad, the ad slot, and the user)associated with accepted bids.

Continuing with the process of finding a market price for ad spots (inFIG. 10E), Ad Marketplace 440 checks for bids 4520. For each bid 4520,Ad Marketplace 440 checks with Content Guardian 501 if the bid is forthe last ad slot 4550. If the bid is not for the last ad spot, AdMarketplace 440 checks with Content Guardian 501 whether the bid isacceptable 4560. For an acceptable bid, the accepted price and adspecific ad stream slot is noted 4530 and used in step 4095 (in FIG.10A) for playback to the user and continued monitoring for bids 4510. Ifbid is not acceptable, the Ad Marketplace 440 continues monitoring forbids 4510. If the bid is for the last ad spot Ad Marketplace 440 checkswith Content Guardian 501 whether the bid is acceptable 4570. For anacceptable bid for the last ad slot, the accepted price and ad specificad stream slot is noted 4590 and used in step 4095 (in FIG. 10A) forplayback to the user and then terminate the process for setting marketprices for the specific content stream and user 4600. For anunacceptable bid for the last ad slot, Ad Marketplace 440 checks to seeif the bid closing time has been reached 4580. If the bid closing timehas been reached for the last ad slot, terminate the process for settingmarket prices for the specific content stream and user 4600. Otherwise,Ad Marketplace 440 continues monitoring for bids 4510.

Continuing with FIGS. 10E and 4520, during the process of monitoring forbids, the bid close times are also monitored 4540. If a bid close timeis not reached, the monitoring continues 4510. If a bid close time isreached 4540, Ad Marketplace 440 checks with Content Guardian 501 if thebid close time is for the last ad slot 4550. If the bid close time isnot for the last ad spot 4550, Ad Marketplace 440 checks with ContentGuardian 501 to see if the last bid is acceptable at that time. For anacceptable last bid, the accepted price and ad specific ad stream slotis noted 4530 and used in step 4095 (in FIG. 10A) for playback to theuser and continued monitoring for bids 4510. If the last bid is notacceptable, the Ad Marketplace 440 continues monitoring for bids 4510.If the bid close time is for the last ad spot 4550, Ad Marketplace 440checks with Content Guardian 501 to see if the last bid is acceptable atthat time. For an acceptable last bid for the last bid close time, theaccepted price and ad specific ad stream slot is noted 4590 and used instep 4095 (in FIG. 10A) for playback to the user and terminate theprocess for setting market prices for the specific content stream anduser 4600. For an unacceptable last bid for the last bid time 4580, AdMarketplace 440, terminates the process for setting market prices forthe specific content stream and user 4600.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the system. The characteristicsof the individual components are nearly identical to those described inFIG. 3 except as shown, and a plurality of Managed Content Streams 510,520, 530 each of which has associated a Content Guardian 511, 521, 531respectively and Content Streams 512, 522, 532 respectively.

FIGS. 11A-11D describe the steps and interactions involved with accessand playback of a user selected content stream from a plurality ofManaged Content Streams 510, 520, 530 and a plurality of Managed AdStreams 610, 620, 630 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Steps in FIG. 11A arenearly identical to those described in FIG. 9A with the exception ofsteps 2060. Step 2060, however, is described in relation to the systemillustrated in FIG. 5 and associated with the functional steps andinteractions to create a playlist where there is a plurality of ContentStreams 510, 520, 530. Therefore, the steps described in FIGS. 11A-11Dare a combination of those associated with those in FIG. 2/FIGS. 8A-8Dand those in FIG. 3/FIGS. 9A-9D.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the system. Thecharacteristics of the individual components are nearly identical tothose described in FIG. 4 except as shown, Ad Marketplace 460 and aplurality of Managed Content Streams 510, 520, 530 each of which hasassociated a Content Guardian 511, 521, 531 respectively and ContentStreams 512, 522, 532 respectively.

FIGS. 12A-12E describe the steps and interactions involved with accessand playback of a user selected content stream from a plurality ofManaged Content Streams 510, 520, 530 and a plurality of Managed AdStreams 610, 620, 630 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Steps in FIG. 12A arenearly identical to those described in FIG. 9A with the exception ofsteps 2060. Step 2060, however, is described in relation to the systemillustrated in FIG. 2 and associated with the functional steps andinteractions of creating a play list with a single Ad Guardian 601.Therefore, Ad Marketplace functions and interactions are a combinationof those associated in FIG. 2/FIGS. 8A-8D and in FIG. 4/FIGS. 10A-10E.

The above embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of thisinvention and are not intended to limit the invention to the particularembodiments described. One skilled in the art should recognize thatservices described may be deployed using one or more servers, on userdevices, and in combination with other system components. In particular,it is contemplated that functional implementation of the inventiondescribed herein may be implemented equivalently in hardware, software,firmware, and/or other available functional components or buildingblocks. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, andcombinations of various features of the described embodiments can bepracticed without departing from the scope of the invention as set forthin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A streaming content distribution systemconfigured to interact with content players to support transmission andplayback of multimedia content, the system comprising: a guide moduleconfigured to accept user input from a first user and to receive,through user input by the first user being made via a first contentplayer, user selection of a first content stream from a set ofselectable content streams, wherein individual ones of the selectablecontent streams are provided by individual ones of a set of contentproviders, and wherein individual ones of the selectable content streamsinclude one or more content items of multimedia content; and a streammodule configured to create a first playlist for the first user, whereinthe first playlist includes one or more content items of the firstcontent stream, wherein the first playlist is to be delivered and playedback by the first content player to the first user; wherein the guidemodule is further configured to integrate with one or more socialnetworking platforms such that the guide module shares contentinformation through the one or more social networking platforms, whereinthe content information includes information about one or more contentitems included in the delivered and played-back first playlist, andwherein the content information is shared in association with the firstuser.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first user has one or moreuser attributes including one or more of age, sex, location, and/orincome range.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first user has oneor more user attributes including consumer preferences.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first content stream includes a radio broadcaststream.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first content streamincludes a television broadcast stream.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the sharing of the content information by the guide module isperformed responsive to permission obtained from the first user.
 7. Astreaming content distribution system configured to interact withcontent players to support transmission and playback of multimediacontent, the system comprising: a guide module configured to accept userinput from a first user and to receive, through user input by the firstuser being made via a first content player, user selection of a firstcontent stream from a set of selectable content streams, whereinindividual ones of the selectable content streams are provided byindividual ones of a set of content providers, and wherein individualones of the selectable content streams include one or more content itemsof multimedia content; and a stream module configured to create a firstplaylist for the first user, wherein the first playlist includes one ormore content items of the first content stream, wherein the firstplaylist is to be delivered and played back by the first content playerto the first user; wherein the guide module is further configured tointegrate with one or more social networking platforms such that theguide module shares content information through the one or more socialnetworking platforms, wherein the content information includes anotification about availability of one or more content items of thefirst playlist for delivery, and wherein the content information isshared in association with the first user.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein the notification includes a reminder.
 9. The system of claim 7,wherein the first content stream includes a radio broadcast stream. 10.The system of claim 7, wherein the first content stream includes atelevision broadcast stream.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein thesharing of the content information by the guide module is performedresponsive to permission obtained from the first user.
 12. A streamingcontent distribution system configured to interact with a contentplayers to support transmission and playback of multimedia content, thesystem comprising: a guide module configured to accept user input from afirst user and to receive, through user input by the first user beingmade via a first content player, user selection of a first contentstream from a set of selectable content streams, wherein individual onesof the selectable content streams are provided by individual ones of aset of content providers, and wherein individual ones of the selectablecontent streams include one or more content items of multimedia content;and a stream module configured to create a first playlist for the firstuser, wherein the first playlist includes one or more content items ofthe first content stream, wherein the first playlist is to be deliveredand played back by the first content player to the first user; whereinthe guide module is further configured to integrate with one or moresocial networking platforms such that the guide module shares contentinformation through the one or more social networking platforms, whereinthe content information includes one or both of commentary and/orranking related to one or more content items of the first playlist fordelivery, and wherein the content information is shared in associationwith the first user.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the first userhas one or more user attributes including one or more of age, sex,location, and/or income range.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein thefirst user has one or more user attributes including consumerpreferences.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first contentstream includes a radio broadcast stream.
 16. The system of claim 12,wherein the sharing of the content information by the guide module isperformed responsive to permission obtained from the first user.
 17. Astreaming content distribution system configured to interact withcontent players to support transmission and playback of multimediacontent, the system comprising: a guide module configured to accept userinput from a first user and to receive, through user input by the firstuser being made via a first content player, user selection of a firstcontent stream from a set of selectable content streams, whereinindividual ones of the selectable content streams are provided byindividual ones of a set of content providers, and wherein individualones of the selectable content streams include one or more content itemsof multimedia content; and a stream module configured to create a firstplaylist for the first user, wherein the first playlist includes one ormore content items of the first content stream, wherein the firstplaylist is to be delivered and played back by the first content playerto the first user; wherein the guide module is further configured tointegrate with one or more social networking platforms such that theguide module shares one or more content items of the first playlistthrough the one or more social networking platforms, and wherein the oneor more content items are shared in association with the first user. 18.The system of claim 17, wherein the guide module is further configuredto record one or more content items of the first playlist.
 19. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the first content stream includes a radiobroadcast stream.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the sharing of theone or more content items is performed responsive to permission obtainedfrom the first user.